Local Goa News

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Grads, postgrads vie for govt sweeper jobs

Panaji: The allure of government jobs among youth in Goa is so strong that even graduates and postgraduates don't seem to mind working as sweepers. The Goa medical college (GMC) and hospital was flooded with 3,054 applications for 82 posts of sweepers it advertised recently. Some of the applicants had a graduate degree and some were postgraduates, even as eligibility criteria for sweeper's post stated that an applicant had to be literate with formal education up to Class IV.
Authorities were flummoxed by the response they received for sweepers' posts. Additional secretary (health) Anthony D'Souza, said that in order to simplify the selection process for GMC's authorities, it has been decided that all desirable candidates will have to prove their skills in sweeping regardless of their educational qualifications.
Also, an applicant's higher education will not help him/her score over those who are less educated. D'Souza said all literate applicantsthose having studied up to class IVwill score 50% marks. On the other hand, graduate and postgraduate applicants will get 10%. Another 10% for previous work experience and 10% for skill test will also be allotted. Scrutiny of applications is presently under way and the selection process is expected to be completed in the next two months.
A senior government official, who has been part of the selection process in the past, said several overqualified candidates have been applying for government jobs in the last few years irrespective of the posts advertised. For instance, thousands of applications have come from graduates and postgraduates for vacancies of peons, the official said, adding, "The post is irrelevant. What is important is the tag of a government job."
Many still opt for or seek government jobs in view of job security and better pay scales.